The saga continues.
Ahead of Manchester United's trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Jose Mourinho has reinstated his general dismay with a portion of United's seemingly disgruntled fan-base.
Citing their inability to enjoy themselves as United overcame Tottenham Hotspur last weekend as a contributing factor, Mourinho also aired his disappointment with their apparent displeasure at the recent performances of Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku, who has scored 11 goals for United since joining in the summer, has, according to the Portuguese, been on the receiving end of unwarranted attention from United fans in light of his recent 6 game goal drought.
Although there is very little evidence of negativity being directed at Lukaku whatsoever, Mourinho remains adamant that he is standing with his 'untouchable' forward.
In an effort to rectify any misunderstanding, the Manchester United Supporters Trust has made a move toward reconciliation it has been reported.
However, when questioned on whether he would give the group the courtesy of a meeting, Mourinho was typically bullish in his response:
I cannot meet a quarter of the planet.
I think a quarter of the planet is Manchester United red. I cannot meet them.
Mourinho's allusion toward United's worldwide appeal could rightfully be construed as a flaunting of his own status within this colossus; he, after all, is the manager of Manchester United.
With this latest slight, it is becoming increasingly clear that Mourinho views the 200,000 strong membership of M.U.S.T as a portion of the fan-base that can be easily replaced if needs be.
What are the concerns of 200,000 reds worth when you have almost 2 billion more to tap into?
Also on the agenda for Mourinho was an issue he continues to speak about not speaking about; Paul Pogba's undetermined injury.
Having not featured for United since early September, Mourinho reiterated how well he has been dealing with the absence of United's record signing:
I think it's my fault because I should cry every week about our injuries.
I think any other manager would be speaking about Pogba every day - 'Oh I don't have Pogba, oh when I have Pogba, oh 10 matches without Pogba, oh all the Champions League group phase without Pogba, oh all the big matches against Liverpool, against Chelsea, against Spurs without Pogba.'
I don't speak about Pogba one single time.
Endorsing the kind of siege mentality that many who are familiar with Mourinho's recent ploys will recognise, it will be curious to see how much longer this stand-off with United's core fan-base runs.
Although recent results will provide sufficient cover for the time being, Mourinho is playing a dicey game with a select group of supporters who are not particularly privy to being treated in this manner.
